This new form of safaris is becoming increasingly popular in Southern Africa for the simple reason that it transforms journeys between magnificent destinations into amazing experiences. Whereas the traditional overland safaris offer great fun and excitement in itself, helicopter safaris offer even more: greater flexibility, time gain, possibility to include truly out–of–this–world picnic stops en route, discovery of places otherwise not accessible and, of course, the most spectacular vistas imaginable! 5^th Dimension Helicopter Safaris, with most experienced owner/pilot Mr Adcock at the helm, offers unique luxury helicopter safaris designed for both the adventurous of spirit and those wishing to see Southern Africa from a totally different, mind changing perspective. 5^th Dimension Helicopter Safaris offers totally unique trips since guests can tailor–make their own personal safari: fly fishing, beaches, the bush, wildlife, diving, golf, historical places and magnificent scenery. It’s all possible! On average guests will fly three hours, having the most incredible fun since seeing the world from a helicopter gives a whole new meaning to the word ‘experience’.

Nowadays, one can find a wide range of luxury properties to rent all over the globe. Although luxuriously furnished, enjoying a fabulous location or sporting striking architectural features, only few owners manage to create a perfectly balanced property that on top of all the spectacular ‘wow’ factors also has a soul. Liz Biden, owner of award–winning Royal Malewane, worked her magic again when developing Birkenhead House. Only one hour and a half from Cape Town, Birkenhead House is named after a British troop ship that sank in Walker Bay in 1852. Decorated to reflect the beauty of its coastal setting, it is adorned with exquisite antiques. No expense has been spared in making this the ultimate coastal retreat. Most of the opulently appointed rooms offer expansive vistas of Walker Bay. From the comfort of the residence, guests can look forward to sighting the majestic Southern Right whales that enter the sheltered waters of Walker Bay every year to calve. Other attractions include a gym, treatment centre and a dual–level swimming pool located in a sheltered courtyard. Not forgetting, of course, Hermanus’ two best swimming beaches which are just a stone’s throw away. Spectacular mountain trails and breathtaking cliff path walks are also in easy reach from Birkenhead House. Guests can explore the thriving floral kingdom, which has a higher diversity of species than anywhere else in the world.

Travelling for business to London and not booked your accommodation yet? Than here’s some inspiration to organize your stay in a slightly more original way than usual: rent an executive floating apartment! Aimed at the corporate market, a new concept in executive apartments has literally been “launched”. Pied à l’eau stands for five star luxury, two bedroom properties built into luxury motor yachts. Featuring the latest technology features and amenities, these floating apartments have the added advantage of location freedom: each apartment can be re–located anywhere from central London over major UK city centres to rural country settings, as and when, to suit corporate requirements. In leisure time, the floating executive can even set off for an evening or weekend cruise, inland or offshore. “There’s something very relaxing about living afloat”, according to Allan Matthews, the founder of Pied à l’eau, “It is enormously de–stressing at the end of the day to step out of the office and onto the deck of a spacious and comfortable yacht, from where you can watch the lights across the water whilst entertaining friends or colleagues in style”.

When thinking of a striking yacht design, it is mostly that of some Italian yacht manufacturer that springs to mind. Maybe even a Dutch, British or French manufacturer, but Russian? However, times have changed and some most talented and innovative designers have been at work for Russia–based yacht manufacturer Paritet over the last couple of years. The result is a product range consisting of the stunning Looker glass–bottom boats and more recently, the addition of the Ellips. This unusual looking watercraft is a new breed of catamaran with sleek lines, a far–fetched innovative design and jet aircraft speed sensation, equipped with the most advanced control panel and surrounded with the highest quality interior accommodations. The Ellips will, without any doubt, surprise anyone through its utmost in luxury with a surreal impression and a front row seat unlike any other.

US–based Excel–Jet has recently flown its Sport–Jet for the first time at the Colorado Spings airport. The all–new 4+1 seat Sport–Jet is a single–engine, all–glass aircraft aimed at the general aviation pilot. The Sport–Jet has been designed for single–person operation by a pilot trained in piston–powered airplanes. Many advanced features and a simplified design eases pilot workload. “This will contribute significantly to the insurability of the aircraft when operated by non–professionals”, said Bob Bornhofen, company president and designer. The Sport–Jet will sell for about US$ 1 million, cruise at 340 konts at 25,000 feet, and can carry four persons over 900 nautical miles.

The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has secured an order of 50 firm orders for its Phenom 100 Very Light Jet. The deal with Swiss start–up air taxi operator JetBird valued at some US$ 140 million also includes an additional 50 options, which can eventually be converted to the larger Phenom 300 Light Jet. JetBird founder and chairman Domhnal Slattery expects to take delivery of its first aircraft in March 2009 and hopes to start operations in the following month. Initially, JetBird plans to start operating from its Zurich base and within five years is expected to operate a fleet of 100 aircraft from up to five hubs.

Italian stylist Versace is getting involved in the design and production of luxury aircraft interiors. An agreement has just been signed with Swiss private jet charter operator TAG Aviation for a Bombardier Global Express and Boeing Business Jet operated by TAG. The high–flying couture starts off with a price tag of around US$ 10 million.

The European business aviation scene will shortly discover the franchised aircraft charter service launched by Jet Aviation. The concept will allow operators to provide flights under a standardised Skylliance brand name. In return for an undisclosed entrance fee and monthly payments, members will benefit from European–wide marketing and a corporate identity, including crew uniforms and discounted fees at Jet Aviation’s fixed–base operations.

According to Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation president and chief executive, the market will see jet air taxis flown legally with a crew of only one pilot in the future. An automatic or remote aircraft recovery system will take over from the pilot in the event he becomes incapacitated. However, it might still take a while since the first aircraft likely to deliver such a capability could be the Lockheed Martin F–35 Joint Strike Fighter six years or more from now.

When visiting Machu Picchu, one of the most amazing places on the planet, make sure to book your stay well in advance at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in order not to be disappointed. This appealing boutique hotel, located in the heart of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, is a fusion of utmost calmness, comfort, Andean architecture and natural beauty. The hotel is spread over 5 hectares of low–rise cottages, streams, waterfalls, plantations and wild forest interspersed by stone pathways. The hotel boasts 85 rooms and suites, beautifully furnished with regional timber and styled with local handcrafted Andean architecture nestled in one or two–storey cottages.

The unique apartment Residenza Napoleone III is situated in the XVI century Palazzo Ruspoli on the Rome’s legendary Via Condotti. The Residenza Napoleone consists of three magnificent rooms, each more impressive than the next with antique furnishings, massive oil paintings and XVI century tapestries. A grand marble staircase lined with antique marble busts of Roman Emperors, leads up to the entrance of the apartment. The Residenza Napoleone III offers two large reception rooms, a large bedroom, an elegant bathroom, a kitchenette and a powder room. The suite boasts a large canopied bed draped with beautiful fabrics and silks. The splendid apartment offers all the modern comfort amenities discerning travellers expect, including internet access, multi–language satellite plasma television, DVD and maid service.

Katikies is a charming little hotel hanging from a cliff, 100 meters above the dazzlingly blue caldera basin, in the picturesque village of Oia, the most westerly point of Santorini. Aegean architecture blends past and present in a free form fantasy of stairs, bridges, cubist cottages and infinity swimming pools. The 47 well appointed rooms are furnished with island antiques. All suites and rooms have a private balcony to exploit the glorious view. Katikies boasts two beautiful swimming pools, sunbathing decks with open–air Jacuzzis, a library and a stylish pool bar. Enjoy Greek specialties by the pool and marvel again at the panorama.

Cycling passion inspired by Spyker, designed by Koga. The Aeroblade, a revolutionary titanium bicycle with a limited edition of 50 bikes only, is the result of a partnership between two exclusive brands. Says Victor Muller, CEO and owner/founder of Spyker on the partnership: “Spyker produces exclusive sports cars for the supercar niche market. Its quality, state of the art technology, design and performance are all of the highest level. Koga and Spyker share a mutual passion for outstanding products of unrivaled perfection and quality. Both brands place great value on exceptional partnerships. Therefore, the Aeroblade bike, as designed and produced by our two companies, is a perfect and logical match”. The sporty yet comfortable Aeroblade bike is hand–built using unique and innovative materials. Features include a titanium frame, an aluminium front fork, wheel set and mudguards from aluminium covered carbon composite, Hulshof luxury leather handle bar grips and saddle and a special version of the Rohloff 14 spped hub gear transmission. The bike weighs a mere 12,8 kg and is specifically built for its new owner. For your personal biking enjoyment, expect to fork out some 10,500 EUR, ex. VAT before taking to the country roads.

The Segway Golf Transporter (GT) is one of Segway’s several recent developments derived from the company’s first product, the Segway Human Transporter (HT). The Segway HT was the first two–wheeled, self–balancing, electric transportation device to use the revolutionary dynamic stabilization technology. Today, Segway is focused on serving its customers by developing unique products that are redefining personal transportation for consumers and businesses. In this context, the Segway GT has been configured to provide the golf enthusiast with a new way to cruise the course. A golf bag carrier secures the golf bag to the right side of the Segway GT. Adjustable straps secure the bag to the carrier and can accommodate most golf bags. The carrier functions as a stand for the unit when it’s time to play, making it easy to access the clubs. Like all Segway HTs, the Segway GT can stay powered on while the rider takes his or her shot, allowing for quick mounting and dismounting and thus, speedier play. Using the Segway GT on the course makes for a unique experience. Since the platform is eight inches off the ground, riders get a great vantage point of the fairway. The Segway GT moves two to three times walking speed and can help the rider move from point to point quickly, while still enjoying his or her surroundings. Last, but definitely not least, the Segway GT is zero–emissions, almost silent and extremely energy efficient. Time to give that golf set of yours a pair of wheels!

The premier edition of Salon Privé, London’s first private view of the world’s finest cars, can be penciled into your agenda from 11–14 July 2006.

Hosted in the elegant environs of The Hurlingham Club, London the event will consist of a private viewing, in stunning garden party surroundings, of fabulous bespoke cars whose attention to detail and build quality defies imagination.

Some of the most prestigious and specialist car manufacturers already confirmed include Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Rolls–Royce, Koenigsegg, Spyker Cars, Marcos Engineering, Maybach, Mercedes/McLaren, Alfa Romeo, Mosler, Shelby Le Mans Performance Coupe, to name but a few. With an expected 25 exceptional, boutique car manufacturers taking part in the event, this gathering is definitely truly unique.

According to organizers Performance Events and Fireball Management, this new event, which will surely become one of London’s most prestigious private social events, will announce some exciting news in the coming few weeks, including many manufacturers displaying new models for the first time in the United Kingdom.

Alongside the fabulous cars much more is to happen: a fantastic line–up of celebrity guests, automotive art, elegant dining, attractive entertainment features as well as displays of several luxury products.

The Private Collection – Edition 2006 has recently been released and enjoys a fabulous success ever since! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to order your personal copy of this luxury book which is only available online on our www.xoprivate.com website in order to preserve its exclusivity. The latest edition of The Private Collection has again been designed into a stunning piece of art: a luxurious hardcover publication featuring almost 400 pages of truly stunning photography enhanced by spot varnish on the world’s finest escapes and operators. The perfect, original gift for … a dear friend, family member or … yourself?